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Alasdair McDonnell (born 1 September 1949) is an Irish politician who has been the Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party since 2011, and the Member of Parliament and Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Belfast since 2005 and 1998 respectively.
Political career
McDonnell's first involvement with politics came when he joined the National Democrats and stood as the party candidate in the 1970 election in North Antrim, losing to Ian Paisley. McDonnell first won election to Belfast City Council in 1977, representing Belfast 'Area A' which included the Short Strand and Upper Ormeau areas. He lost his council seat in a surprise result in 1981 but returned in 1985 and served as the first Catholic Deputy Mayor of Belfast in 1995-1996.
He first stood for the ...

... PUT A BLANKET AROUND THE POOR
As the weather takes a bitterly cold turn SDLP Economy Spokesperson Alasdair McDonnell MP has said the Executive has a new ready-made answer to easing the fuel poverty crisis and save people’s lives and he’s urging the public to lobby government to make it happen.
The South Belfast MP said that if the First and Deputy First Minister are serious about addressing crippling issues of poverty in disadvantaged areas then it should direct a substantial amount of resources in its new Social Investment and Protection Funds towards combating fuel ...

South Belfast MP Alasdair McDonnell has launched his campaign to become leader of the SDLP.
It comes after Margaret Ritchie announced she was stepping down last month, with the intention of focusing instead on her South Down constituency.
Mr McDonnell, who is one of four candidates vying to take over the top job, says his main message is that the SDLP needs radical change and reorganisation.
"We are going to have to cut a new deal, or perhaps a series of new deals, in London, Dublin and here in Belfast as well," he said, unveiling his manifesto.
"This is the job for the SDLP. A ...

SDLP leadership candidate Dr Alasdair McDonnell will today issue his party colleagues with a stark message - change or die.
He warned that the party "can change the way we work or we can disappear".
The South Belfast MP is preparing to launch his manifesto today which outlines a strategy to halt the party's steady decline.
The document includes plans to invite his current rivals for the top post to join a 'New Deal' collective leadership if he wins next month's vote to elect a new leader.
Read more: Belfast Telegraph (17 October 2011)

Victims demand McDonnell meeting over McCreesh play park - Belfast NewsletterBelfast NewsletterVictims demand McDonnell meeting over McCreesh play parkBelfast NewsletterHe said that “after breaking his media silence that lasted nearly two weeks, Alasdair McDonnell could only muster a half-baked apology” for his councillors' actions. The SDLP made no direct comment on IVU's request for an urgent meeting with its leader.and more »

Pressure grows on Alasdair McDonnell to enter election debate - Belfast TelegraphBelfast TelegraphPressure grows on Alasdair McDonnell to enter election debateBelfast TelegraphDr Alasdair McDonnell is the MP for South Belfast, a marginal seat where a single unionist candidate would have a good chance of winning against a divided nationalist vote. So far Mairtin O Muilleoir of Sinn Fein and Jonathan Bell of the DUP have declared.Alasdair McDonnell goes to ground over SDLP's Newry park decisionBelfast NewsletterConsultant: McDonnell is saying we aren't up to jobthe Irish Newsall 5 news articles »

Alasdair McDonnell 'swore at Martin McGuinness' in heated row - Belfast NewsletterBelfast NewsletterAlasdair McDonnell 'swore at Martin McGuinness' in heated rowBelfast NewsletterAnd one person familiar with the clash said that it involved “forthright” views from Dr McDonnell but “wasn't nasty”. The individual said that the Deputy First Minister had denied saying some of the things which he said in his recent article for the ...

SDLP's Fearghal McKinney fails to back leader Alasdair McDonnell in foetus row - Belfast TelegraphBelfast TelegraphSDLP's Fearghal McKinney fails to back leader Alasdair McDonnell in foetus rowBelfast TelegraphMr McKinney said he did support the party position that the current abortion law should not be extended and that Alasdair McDonnell, a GP who has outraged doctors by his remarks, should not step down as leader. "Everybody would have a view and I'm ...SDLP leader: My councillors were wrong on IRA park voteBelfast NewsletterRaymond McCreesh Park: SDLP unhappy with 'no shows' in Newry voteBBC NewsSDLP councillors 'wrong' over McCreesh ParkU.TVall 9 news articles »